Jury selection in trial of rapist accused of exposing himself

VISTA (CNS) - Jury selection was expected to begin Monday in the trial of a just-paroled rapist accused of exposing himself to two girls in Vista and trying to run one of them down with a truck.

Andres Hernandez, 36, faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor indecent exposure and lewd conduct.

According to sheriff's officials, Hernandez was released from prison Sept. 11. The next day, he allegedly was masturbating in a truck on Massachusetts Avenue and called over the 15- and 17-year-old girls, saying he was lost and needed directions.

When one of the girls took a photo of the defendant's license plate with her cell phone, Hernandez put the truck in reverse and tried to run her down, sheriff's officials said.

He was arrested Sept. 17 during a traffic stop on West Vista Way near North Melrose Drive.